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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Lahaina

Trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent and common groundwater pollutant, damages the immune system, harms the developing fetus and causes cancer. Read More.

Trichloroethylene was once commonly used to remove grease from metal parts, such as steel pipes and engines, and as a solvent in dry cleaning and carpet cleaning products. Drinking trichloroethylene-contaminated drinking water has been linked with birth defects, leukemia, and liver and kidney damage. Trichloroethylene is highly volatile and can enter indoor air through water in pipes. If trichloroethylene is present, people can inhale it while bathing, washing dishes and doing other household activities that involve water.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

 

25

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND80ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND50ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for trichloroethylene was defined by the state of Minnesota as health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus and damage to the immune system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb

The legal limit for trichloroethylene, established in 1987, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-04-03201404080935ND
2014-04-03201404080617ND
2014-04-04201404080992ND
2014-04-11201404150350ND
2014-08-14201408190783ND
2014-08-14201408190815ND
2014-08-14201408190822ND
2014-08-14201408190830ND
2015-01-26201501280332ND
2015-01-26201501280756ND
2016-02-22ND
2016-02-22ND
2016-09-26ND
2016-11-28ND
2017-01-30ND
2017-01-30ND
2017-01-30ND
2017-01-30ND
2017-01-30ND
2018-01-31201801031006ND
2018-01-31201801031004ND
2018-03-22201803281100ND
2019-01-30201902010215ND
2019-01-30201902010199ND
2019-01-30201902010224ND